Social media campaign calls for Primark in Newbury

A SOCIAL media campaign has been launched to try and persuade budget fashion retailer Primark to come to Newbury.

A Facebook page campaigning for the store to come to the town centre racked-up support from more than 1,000 people in just 24-hours of it being established earlier this week.

Information on the Facebook page, called ‘Support a Primark store for Newbury’, claimed that a meeting had been held between “the council” and Primark, and went as far as suggesting that 10,000 Facebook ‘likes’ would be required before the store would consider opening in the town. One Facebook user commented: “Newbury definitely needs Primark to open a store here, so many people love shopping at Primark.”

Another added: “Newbury needs more affordable clothes shops such as Primark.”

However, council spokesman Keith Ulyatt said the council had not entered into any discussions with the budget fashion chain.

“We are not aware that Primark has been to see anyone at the council,” he said. “The council did not and would not advise that 10,000 likes would be needed to make Primark consider coming to the town.

“Whether Primark comes to town is a matter for the private concern who is offering any premises and Primark.”

Kennet Centre manager Mag Williams added that the store was not looking to open in the shopping centre at this time.

“Primark is not going into that Debenhams [unit],” she said. “We have spoken to Primark in the past and there are continuing talks.

“There may be something in the future but it’s not for that particular unit.

“We are talking to a couple of other retailers. It’s also not BHS.”

The public response has not been entirely positive with a counter Facebook group ‘Keep Primark out of Newbury’ also being created.

Rumours first began circulating about the budget fashion chain opening in the Kennet Centre several years ago but re-emerged recently after it was confirmed that the Debenhams Outlet would be closing in August.

Primark had failed to respond by the time of the Newbury Weekly News going to press yesterday (Wednesday).

Which retailers do you think are missing from Newbury? Let reporter Ellis Barker know by emailing ellis.barker@newburynews.co.uk